Do not handle turtles! Watch, take pictures,
and let them go their way.

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing
but footprints.

No littering. All trash must be taken back
on the ferry boat and disposed of properly.

Follow maps, roads and paths.

When hiking and exploring around the ruins
of Fort Dade, do not damage structures or
remove artifacts.

Beach
and Swimming Cautions

This trip is for agile people without
physical challenges, not for anyone who may
be at risk.

If you expect to snorkel, good swimming
skills are required. You will encounter deep
water,
mild to strong currents and other natural
water conditions.

Flotation devices are available, also
instruction on snorkeling.

Wear SUNSCREEN.

No lifeguards on duty.

Do the “stingray shuffle” while wading.
No climbing on the rocky ruins off Fort
Dade.

Have a group of 10
or more? Click here
to view our group rate discounts.

Group rates quoted
are for regularly scheduled daily cruises. Open to the general
public. All Cruises are subject to availability, weather and minimum
number of fares. Gratuity of 15% suggested on groups of 10 or more.

Beaches

Come
relax or play on our beach

Boating

Boating is available

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in designated
areas

Hiking/Nature Trail

Walk through the historic ruins of
Fort Dade or along the brick paths
that remain from the days Fort Dade
was an active community with 300
residents. Gopher tortoises can
sometimes be seen as you walk the
historic paths. Many visitors are
treated to the sight of hummingbirds
and other seabirds.

Swimming

Wildlife Viewing

FIRST COME... FIRST SERVE
Please Pay on the Ferry with Cash,
Travelers checks, or Credit Card

Information
▪ 727.867.6569

▪ tour
ruins▪ see wildlife,▪ beach and swim

Includes all the free shells you can
carry! A short ferry ride from Ft.
DeSoto is the Shell Key Preserve, a
natural and uninhabited barrier island.
Landing on the south end of the island
is a unique trip for this area. White
sand, warm waters are just the fix for
sunbathing, swimming, superb shelling,
bird and dolphin watching or just
loafing around. Over night camping is
allowed with a no cost permit. Shell Key
is comparable to Sanibel and Captiva.

A family run ferry in this area
since1928, chosen by the county in 2002
to be the ONLY official ferry service to
and from Egmont Key & Shell Key
Preserve. You begin and end your
adventure at the historic Fort De Soto
Park, a military outpost constructed
during the Spanish American War, listed
in the “National Register of Historic
Places.” Explore the fort still equipped
with 12-inch rifled mortars and two
British breech-loading 6-inch Armstrong
rapid-fire guns. The park has been rated
the Number One Beach in the entire
United States.

Pinellas Counties largest Park includes
1,136 acres made up of five
interconnected islands. Travel to an
uninhabited barrier island with white
sand, warm water, and shelling galore is
yours for the day. This trip is one of a
kind and unique to this area.